Measuring dispenser with means nonremovably connecting same to a bottle



Get. 18, 1955 M. L. LESNICK 2,721,005

MEASURING DISPENSER WITH MEANS NONREMOVABLY CONNECTING SAME TO A BOTTLE Filed Oct. 11, 1948 5/ j w 44 T I 49 70 o g, 12 53 N W F 74 67 g, N I 50 4 2 W i Q W1. v5 55 l'nnnh z FIG 4- 3 /6 16 g 9e 5 9 big. 95

50 P 52 INVENTOR. MIX L. LAM/ck BY Hw r-q United States Patent IVIEASURING DISPENSER WITH MEANS NON- REMOVABLY CONNECTING SAlVlE TO A BOTTLE Max L. Lesnick, Cleveland, Ohio Application October 11, 1948, Serial No. 53,907

Claims. (Cl. 222-147) This invention pertains to the art of liquid dispensing, and more particularly to apparatus for dispensing measured portions of a liquid from a closed container.

An object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved apparatus for affixation onto a liquid-containing bottle which is simple in structure, economical to manufacture, which locks onto the bottle, which accurately dispenses a measured volume of liquid, and records the number of measured volumes dispensed.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved apparatus of the type referred to, adapted to be affixed to a liquid-containing bottle which, when once fixed thereon, cannot be removed without destruction of the bottle.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved liquid dispensing apparatus having a measuring chamber and means for preventing removal of the measuring chamber, which is leak-proof and simple in operation.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved liquid dispensing and measuring apparatus which automatically counts the number of measured portions dispensed.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved dispensing apparatus for bottles containing liquid, which prevents surreptitious removal of the contents of the bottle without recording of the fact that such removal has taken place.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved device for dispensing a pre-determined amount of liquid from a bottle wherein the major portions of the device may be made in a uniform size and yet the volume of liquid dispensed by the invention may be readily varied.

The invention is embodied in certain constructions and arrangements, a preferred embodiment of which is described in the following specification, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, which is a part hereof and wherem:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of a liquid dispensing apparatus embodying the present invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1.

Fig. 3 is a top cross sectional view of Fig. 1, taken approximately on the line 22 thereof; and

Fig. 4 is a. cross sectional view of Fig. 1 taken approximately on the line 44 thereof.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of the handle taken on the line 55 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view of the housing taken on the line 66 of Fig. 1.

Referring now to the drawing, wherein a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown for the purposes of illustration only, Fig. 1 shows a liquid dispenser, designated generally at A, embodying the present invention in assembled and operative relationship with a bottle, designated generally at B, adapted to contain the liquid to be dispensed.

The dispenser A comprises generally a housing 10, containing measuring and valving apparatus designated generally at 11, a counting mechanism designated generally at 12, and locking mechanism designated generally at 13, for retaining the housing on the bottle B.

The bottle B may take any one of a difierent number of shapes but preferably is of the type normally used and containing spirituous liquors, having a body 15, a long pouring neck 16 integrally joined with the body 15 by an outwardly flaring portion 17. As shown, the neck 16 has a passage 18 opening to the top of the bottle.

The housing 10 shown comprises a pair of spaced, parallel-extending, side walls 19, 19 integral with and joined at the outer edges by a short cylindrical wall section 22 which walls define a measuring chamber 20. A boss 21 extends from the bottom of the housing and has a diameter approximately equal to the largest diameter of the neck 16 of the bottle to which the device will be attached. The boss 21 when the dispenser is mounted on a bottle, forms an extension of the neck 16 and is hollow to provide a passage 23 therethrough communicating the measuring chamber 20 with the passage 18 in the neck of the bottle. The housing 10 has a second boss-like member 25 extending from the side wall section 22 at an angle of approximately degrees with relation to the axis of the boss 21. This boss-like member 25 is also provided with an interior passage 27, communicating the chamber 29 exteriorly of the housing. The boss-like member 25 and its interior passage provide the pouring spout and passage for the chamber 20.

The passage 23 communicates with the measuring chamber 20 through an inlet port 30, which inlet port is controlled by a valve member 31 and a valve seat. In the embodiment shown the valve seat comprises a grommetlike member 32 held in place by a narrow head 33 extending inwardly of the housing material into and circumferentially of the passage 23. The valve member 31 comprises a generally flat disc-like member and is held in engagement with a sealing surface of the grommet 32 by means of a tension coil spring 34 having one end fixed to the valve member 31 and the other end fixed to the housing below the grommet 32. In the embodiment shown, the lower end of the spring 34 is fixed to the housing by means of wire cross member 38, with its ends imbedded in the walls of the boss 21 and having a central loop 39 through which the lower end of the spring 34 is hooked. In a similar manner the valve member 31 has an opening through which the upper end of the spring 34 may be hooked. The spring 34 normally urges or pulls the valve member 31 into sealing engagement with the grommet 32. in the drawings, the wall of the boss 21 is provided with a circular recess 42, which is to the right of the upper edge of the grommet 32, and the valve member 31 is provided with a complementary convex surface. The valve 31 pivots in this recess to open the inlet port 30.

The chamber 29 also has an outlet port 44, defined by a valve seat 45 and opened and closed by a valve member 46. The outlet port is much the same construction as the inlet port and will not be described in detail, except to state that a helical tension coil spring 48 fixed at one end to the valve member 46 and at the other end to a Wire-like member 49 having its ends imbedded in the material of the housing 10 to the left of the outlet port. As shown, each valve member 31, 46 has an arm 50, 51 respectively, extending inwardly into the measuring chamber, which arms are adapted to be engaged by arms on an actuating lever 55 whereby the valve members 31, 46 may be selectively moved to the open position. in the absence of a force by the actuating lever As shown 3 55, 'it 'will be appreciated that the springs 34 and 48 retain their respective valve members in the closed position. The actuating lever 55 comprises a shaft 60, extending transversely of the housing on a generally centrally disposed horizontal axis, and journaled in suitable open-- ings in the side walls 19, 19 The shaft 60 has a pair of radially extending arms 61, 62 disposed in the measuring chamber 20 and adapted to engage the arms 50, 51' respectively on the valve members 31, 46. The arm 61 engages the valve member 31 in a counter clockwise manner and opens it while the arm 62 engages the valve member 46 in a clockwise direction and moves it to an open position. Asshown, the shaft 60 extends exteriorly of the housing 10 and has an operating lever 64 situated over the ends thereof. As shown,-the operating lever 64 is U-shaped, having a pair of legs 65, 66 thereof disposed in generally parallel relationship and exteriorly'of the sides 19, 19 of the housing 10. A pair of helical coil springs "67, disposed in inwardly facing recesses in the legs 65, 66 of the'actuating lever 64, continuously urge the arms in such a direction that the valve member 31 is normally retained in the position shown in Fig. 1.

Thus, the measuring chamber 20 is always normally open to the interior of the bottle B. A dog 70, positioned interiorly in the measuring chamber 20 is pivoted at its upper end on a line slightly offset from the axis of pivoting of the shaft 60. Its lower end engages a generally horizontal surface 71 on the operating lever 55, when the device and bottle B are in the vertical position. When the device is moved to the pouring position, it is appreciated that the force. of gravity will pivot the dog 70 so as to clear the surface 71 whereby the shaft 60 may be pivoted to close the valve 31 and open the valve 46.

The wall 22 of the housing 10 adjacent the lower right hand side is provided with a transverse passage 74, communicating the measuring chamber 20 with the outside of the housinglt). This passage 74 provides an air vent to facilitate the pouring of the fluid from the chamber 20, through the pouring passage 27. It will be appreciatedthat if the bottle with the device attached is inverted, the liquid would have a tendency to escape outwardly thru the passage 74. Accordingly, the arm 50 extends to a point such that when in the open position it has a surface 75 in engagement with the surface of the housmg surrounding the lefthand end of the passage 74, therebysealing one end of the vent. Thus, when the bottle and device are inverted, the measuring cham-' ber 20 can fill freely without danger of any of the liquid escaping. However, when it is desired to dispense the liquid from the chamber 20, the lever 64 is actuated, thereby allowing the valve 31 to close, opening the valve 46, and the passage 74, whereby, as the liquid is dispensed through the pouring passage 27, air can freely enter through the passage 74. V

The counting means 12 comprises generally a counter 80, of conventional construction, which is disposed interiorly'of the housing in a space provided therefor by a partition wall 81 extending diagonally across the interior of the housing. As shown, the wall of the housing has an opening 82, through which the portion of the counter having the numbers thereon can extend so as to be easily read. 'The counter has a bell crank actuating arm 83 extending laterally through the side wall 19 of the housing 10 the end of which engages in a groove 85' formed on the interior surface of the handle 64. The groove has two portions in leg 65 radially spaced and joined by a diagonal portion 86. As the handle 64 is moved clockwise, the arm 83 is moved when engaged by the diagonal portion 86 and the counter is advanced on numbers. The construction shown permits greater movement of the handle than is normally required to operate the counter.

The measuring chamber 20 preferably has a volume minus the volume of all of the solid bodies actuatable therein, somewhat less than the minimum volume which it is expected the device will dispense.

To increase the volume of the chamber 20, the left hand side wall 19 of the housing 10 is provided with a pair of transverse openings, 90, 91, communicating the measuring chamber with the exterior of the device. A cup member 93, generally U-shaped, in plan view, is fitted over the passages 90, 91 and its edges are abutted against and glued or 7 otherwise aflixed to the exterior surface of the housing 10; Thus, the volume of the cup member 93 is'added to the volume of the measuring chamber 20, and the passages 90, 91 provide for a free ingress and egress of liquid into this auxiliary chamber. By the simple expedient of altering the size of the cup member 93, the volume of liquid to be dispensed by the device can be readily and quickly altered, but when once altered, cannot be changed surreptitiously by any person.

The volume of the measuring chamber could be made greater than the maximum size portion which it is anticiplated will be dispensed from the device and then plugs or the like can be inserted into the chamber'to reduce its volume to that desired. 7

The locking means 13 comprise generally a threaded shaft 95 extending into the interior of the bottle B and having a length sufficient to reach beyond the outward flare 17. The shaft 95 has means on its lower end having a dimension somewhat greater than the diameter of the passage 18. by the diameter thereof may be collapsed to a point where they can be readily inserted through the passage 18 into the interior of the bottle B. The means comprise generally a nut '96 threaded on the shaft 95, and a pair of elongated wing members 97, 98 pivoted at one end on a shaft 99 fixed to the nut 96. A spring member 102 biases the 'Wing members 97, 98 always to the position shown in Fig. 1, As shown, the wing members-97,' 98 are so arranged'that their adjacent edges abut when in the position shown, whereby, as the nut 96 is drawn upwardly 'on the shaft 95, the outer ends of the members 97, 98 engage the interior of the flared portion 17 and draw the boss 21 on the housing unit into engagement with the upper end of the neck of the bottle, as shown in the drawings. A

sealing member '104, of a soft plastic or rubber-like material, is positioned on the lower end of the boss 21 so as to engage the end of the bottle and provide a leak-proof connection at the point. the boss 21 and has an'annular extension on its lower edge thereof to fit over the upper end of the neck 16 and prevent lateral displacements of'the device relative to the bottle. For attaching the shaft 95 to the boss21 a gen-- erally U-shaped member 110 is provided, having a'base 112 and a pair of generally parallel extending legs 1 11, 7

113 the upper ends of which are imbedded in the material of the boss 21. a The base 112 has an opening therethrough, through which the upper end of the shaft 95 extends and is provided with a generally spherical'enlarge ment116, having a diameter somewhat largerthan the It will be appreciated that diameter of the opening 112. with the spherical surface, the shaft 95 may be oscillated relative to the U-shaped member 110. A ratchet member 118 is disposed between the legs 111.and has a pair of laterally extending ears 119,120, which ears extend on both sides of the legs 111, 113. The lower surface ofthe ratchet member 118 and the upper surface of the spherical enlargement 116 are provided with complementary ratchet like surfaces,-providing a free wheeling arrangement,

whereby as the housing 10 is rotated in one direction, this rotation is transmitted to the threaded shaft ;'but if rotated in the opposite direction, is not transmitted to the threaded shaft 95. Thus, it will be seen that after the arms 97, 98 'are positioned interiorly' on the bottle B, the housing 10 may be rotated to' cause upward axial movement of the nut 96 on the shaft 95, so as to draw the outer ends of the arms 97, 98 into engagement with the outwardly flared portion 17 and at the same time draw the lower end of the boss 21 into sealing engagement with These means are preferably pivoted, where A ring-like member surrounds 7 -www we the upper end of the bottle B. Also, rotation of the housing 10 will have no effect on the relative position of the shaft 95 and the nut 96. The threaded shaft 95 is preferably hollow to have a longitudinal passage 126 to provide a passage for the return of air from the measuring chamber 20 to the interior of the bottle as the chamber 20 fills. To facilitate the return of this air, the shaft 95 may extend upwardly through the passage 23 substantially to the inlet port 30.

in operation, it will be seen that with the bottle B, resting in its normal vertical position on the shelf, the valve 31 is open due to the urging of the actuating lever 55 under the influence of the spring 67, while the valve 46 is closed under the influence of the spring 48. It will be appreciated that the spring 34 is also biasing the inlet valve 31 toward the closed position and were it not for the force of the spring 67, woud also be in the closed position. In this position, the pivoted dog 70 will be in the position shown, whereby to engage with the surface 71 and prevent rotation of the shaft 60 or movement of the handle 64. In addition, the arm 50 has sealed closed one end of the passage 74.

When it is desired to dispense a measured volume of liquid, the bottle with the device is substantially inverted to the pouring position, in which case the dog 70 pivots clockwise from the position shown in Fig. 1, thus freeing the valve actuating member 55 for movement. Liquid flows from the interior of the bottle B into the chamber 20, filling it and the auxiliary chamber formed by the cup 93. When the chamber is filled, it will be appreciated that if the bottle is replaced in its normal position, the liquid would run back therethrough. However, if it is desired to dispense the volume of liquid in the chamber 20, the handle 64 is actuated in a clockwise direction from the position of Fig. 1. As the handle 64 is actuated, the valve 31 closes under the influence of the spring 34. After the valve 31 has closed, the arm 62 on the actuating member 55 engages the arm 51 on the valve 46, pivoting this valve open against the force of the spring 48. All the liquid in the measuring chamber 20 and the auxiliary chamber of cup 93 can then pass through the outlet port 44 and the outlet passage 27 to be dispensed into any suitable container. As the chamber 20 is drained, it will be appreciated that air can readily enter through the passage 74 to replace the volume of liquid being dispensed thru the port 27 At the same time that the handle is being actuated, the arm 83 on the counter 80 is being moved by the sides of the groove 85 on the handle, whereby to cause an actuation of the counter and to record the fact that a measured portion of the beverage has been dispensed.

It will be appreciated that with the apparatus described, the measuring chamber is always normally closed to the outside. Thus the interior of the measuring chamber 20 and of the bottle B will be sealed to the entrance of vermin or insects or to the egress of vapors such as result from evaporation.

It will also be appreciated that the outlet port cannot be opened without first recording same on the counter. By this means once the device is installed on the bottle, it becomes impossible to refill the bottle without recording on the counter one number for every measured portion put into the bottle, which liquid is then counted by the counter as it is removed from the bottle.

It will be appreciated that the device cannot be removed from a bottle once installed, without breaking the bottle. This is not an objection when the device is used to dispense alcoholic beverages as state laws generally require that the bottles be destroyed when emptied and Federal law prohibits the reuse of such bottles.

Obviously, modification and alterations will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of the invention and it is my intention to cover all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the approved claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A liquid dispenser comprising a casing having a measuring chamber interiorly thereof, inlet and outlet ports to said chamber, each having sealing surfaces adapted to be engaged by valve members, valve members for opening and closing said ports, spring biasing means fixed to said casing extending through said ports and fixed to said valve members whereby to bias said valve members to the closed position, a valve operator for opening and closing said valve members, said valve operator acting on said valve members in a line transverse to the axis of said ports and spaced from the sealing surfaces of said ports between each valve and its respective port there being a pair of cooperating bearing surfaces, one on the valve and one. on the casing, forming a hinge, each of said pair of cooperating surfaces being located intermediate the line of action of said operator and the sealing surface of its respective port, whereby action of said operator causes pivotal movement of each of said valve members about its respective hinge, without causing displacement of said valve member with respect to the casing.

2. A liquid dispenser comprising a casing having a measuring chamber therein, said casing adapted to be afiixed to the end of a bottle containing liquid to be dispensed, means on said casing adapted to extend into said bottle and fix said casing thereon said means including an elongated member having a laterally expandable member adapted to engage an interior shoulder of said container, said expandable member being connected to said elongated member by a mounting means having combined rotation about, and translation along, said elongated member, there being a connection between said expandable member and said mounting means such that relative rotation between the mounting means and the elongated member causes lateral expansion of the expandable means, there being, further, a means interconnecting said elongated member and the casing such that relative rotation between the casing and the elongated member is unidirectional and reverse rotation is prevented.

3. A liquid dispenser comprising a casing having a measuring chamber therein and having means adapted to be in sealing engagement with an opening in a container holding liquid to be dispensed, said container having a shoulder therein, means on said casing extending into said container having a member adapted to engage said shoulder, said means including a threaded shaft, ratchet means connecting said casing to said threaded shaft, said ratchet means transmitting rotation to said threaded shaft upon rotation of said casing in one direction and permitting free rotation of said casing relative to said threaded shaft upon relative rotation in the opposite direction and said member being threadably supported on said shaft whereby rotation of said casing in one direction will advance said member into engagement with said shoulder but rotation of said casing in the opposite direction will not disengage said member from said shoulder.

4. A liquid dispenser comprising a casing having a measuring chamber therein and having means adapted to be in sealing engagement with an opening in a container holding liquid to be dispensed, said container having a shoulder therein, means on said casing extending into said container having a member attached to engage said shoulder, said means including a threaded shaft, ratchet means connecting said casing in said threaded shaft, said ratchet means transmitting rotation through said threaded shaft upon rotation of said casing in one direction and permitting free rotation of said casing relative to said threaded shaft upon relative rotation in the opposite direction wherein said threaded shaft has a passage therethrough providing an air vent between said measuring chamber and the interior of said container, aiding the free flow of liquid from said bottle into said chamber.

pensed, a valve member for each of said ports, means for' biasing said members to the closed position, a valve operator for actuating said valve members, said valve operator comprising a shaft oscillatably mounted in said casing on an axis transverse to the-axes of saidports and lying between said ports, a cam on said shaft, an arm on each of said valve members extending into the path of movement of said cam upon shaft oscillation, said cam opening one of said valve members upon oscillation of said shaft in one direction and opening the other offsaid valve ,members'upon oscillation of said shaft in the opposite directiomrneans biasing said operator so as to maintain said inlet valve member continuously open, movement of said valve operator allowing said inlet valve member to close and opening said outlet valve member, and gravity actuated means preventing actuation of said valve member for said outlet port to open position except when said dispenser is in thedispensing position.

j References Cited int he file of this patent I, UNITED STATES PATENTS 212,800 7 Hupfel Mar. 4, 1879 Thornton 4.. Apr. 20, 1880 Buchan Dec. 22, 1891 Davison Feb. 26, 1907 Cremona Feb. 12, 1918 Manley Oct. 29, 1929 Marshall et a1. Dec. 1, 1931 Van'MeeWen Feb. 12,1935

' Wittner Nov. 10, 1936 'Greenbaum Dec. 7, 1937 Lewis May 31, 1938 Dale et a1 July 30, 1940 Hacmac May 15, 1945 Curtis Feb. 11, 1947 Le Vas'seur Apr. 26, 1949 Lesnick Sept. 4, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 1 Italy Oct. 27, 1934,,

Germany Feb. 8, 1936 r lu 

